Residents of the "wrong side of the tracks" south end of Harrison just received a letter from Mayor Facio, assuring us we are not forgotten, and assuring us council "remains optimistic" that funding to bring the water system to us MIGHT happen in 2014. Meanwhile, we should be happy for the north end of the village, who received funding to provide an expansion of the water system to treat their water to the national standard. Guilty conscience?
At the risk of sounding cynical — I'll believe it when it happens. In the 23 years I've lived here, I've had many re-assurances that "good things" —street maintenance etc. — in our part of town are imminent.I 'm still waiting! Water mains WERE run down Hot Springs Road, a big plus for any developer planning new construction in the southern wasteland, but while funds seem readily available for unnecessary footbridges, new village offices, landscaping, construction and re-constuction of "speed bumps", they can't even find the time to cut/remove the blackberry jungle on village land outside my backyard! Another summer of fighting their incursion onto my property looms!
According to Mr. Facio, funds earmarked for Esplanade, and I gather all the improvements to the north end of the Village, come from the provincial program known as the Resort Municipality Initiative program. Somehow, I doubt that program defines only HALF the village as a Resort Municipality!
Are the campgrounds/trailer parks/mini golf parks, pubs etc south of Walnut St. NOT dependent on the "Resort Municipality" aspect of Harrison?
As to water quality, it appears I will continue relying on well water till ??eternity??, rather than water "treated to national standard".
I recently had a new well installed, but the quality did not improve. I will be replacing my filter soon (a bi-monthly chore). I challenge Mr. Facio to drink the sludge that comes out of my filter — I DARE him. I'll bet $100 he would not drink a glass of it!
As always, decisions as to funding and spending on all work and projects in Harrison are made by, and for the benefit of, those who live in the north end of the village — or who will benefit financially by such works and projects. It has always been thus. Disingenuous letters such as Mr. Facios stating otherwise are a waste of time and money!
Save the postage — buy more petunias for the lakefront.
Lawrence Tilander
Harrison Hot Springs